Govt, NDF to hold another ceasefire Feb. 15-21 for peace talks

The government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) will observe another ceasefire from February 15 to 21 for the resumption of formal peace talks after nearly seven years. In a joint communiqué issued on Wednesday at the end of their preliminary negotiations in Oslo, Norway, the negotiating panels announced that they will recommend to their respective principals ceasefire from February 15 to 21 as they restart formal negotiations under the auspices of the Royal Norwegian Government (RNG). Chief government negotiator Alexander Padilla also said the government will work on a "best effort" basis for the release of the NDF consultants covered by safety guarantees. "During the just concluded preliminary negotiations, the government and NDF panels agreed to work for a ceasefire from February 15-21, 2011 to mark the resumption of the formal talks," he said in a statement posted on the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) website. "The government also agreed to work, on best effort basis, for the release of NDF consultants and personalities who are qualified under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees so they may meaningfully participate in the elections," he said. Government and NDF negotiators held preliminary negotiations in Oslo (Norway) from January 14 to 18, with the Norwegian government acting as facilitator. Padilla said the government hopes to complete formal negotiations with the NDF "within 18 months." He said the formal talks will focus on: